VCU vs. Butler scouting report

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Notable players:

VCU Rams
Jamie Skeen – The senior forward is possibly the hottest player in the NCAA tournament right now and he appears to have no plans of stopping. Skeen is averaging 15.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game along with coming off arguably the best game of his career against Kansas. Skeen tied his career-high of 26 points against the Jayhawks along with grabbing 10 boards while facing the ferocious Morris twins of Kansas. If there is a more confident player than Skeen left in the tournament field, please point him out.

Bradford Burgess – “Big Shot Brad” as they call him has consistently been the most aggressive player on the floor for VCU in the tournament and unarguably the most clutch. Burgess’ game-winning layup against Florida State was a key spark that fueled the Rams’ fire heading into a tough battle with Kansas. The junior guard has led VCU in scoring in the tournament, averaging 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. His athleticism and work ethic has been a key to VCU’s success in postseason play.

Butler Bulldogs
Shelvin Mack – The junior guard has scored in double figures in 28 of Butler’s last 30 games including having led Butler in three of its four tournament games so far. The athletic playmaker is averaging over 21 points per game in the tournament and does not shy away from the 3-ball. Mack shot 7-for-12 from beyond the arc in the Bulldogs’ unforgettable upset of No. 1 Pittsburgh nearly two weeks ago. He performance in the postseason earned him the Southwest Regional’s most outstanding player award after Butler’s Elite 8 victory over Florida.

Matt Howard – The senior forward has earned the title of the scrappiest player in the country. His pugnacious play has helped lead the Bulldogs in rebounding in 23 games this season. Howard has been consistent for Butler averaging just over 16 points and seven rebounds per game in the tournament so far. He led the Bulldogs against Wisconsin with 20 points and 12 rebounds that were good for his ninth double-double this season and the 20th of his Butler career. The 12 rebounds are the most Howard has had in his NCAA tournament career, while the 20 points are the second-most he’s scored in 12 NCAA tournament games.

How they got here:
Saturday’s game will feature the first match between two mid-majors Final Four in NCAA history. Every game in the NCAA tournament has been a full-out brawl for Butler who has won its games by a margin of a little more than three points. For VCU on the other hand – barring the exception of one game – it has been smooth sailing. The Rams have taken out their five opponents by a margin of 15 points en route to becoming the first team in NCAA history to make it to the Final Four after winning five games.